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New Zealand airplane spots objects during plane search

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority says that a Royal New Zealand Air Force plane has spotted objects in the new search area for Flight MH370 that are closer to the Australian mainland but cautions that the sightings need to be confirmed by ship, expected to take place Saturday.

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New Zealand airplane spots objects during plane search

Mahi Ramakrishnan, USA TODAY
9:07 p.m. CDT March 28, 2014

A woman takes a photo of a screen showing candlelights for relatives of passengers on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 before a meeting at the Metro Park Lido Hotel in Beijing on March 27, 2014. Malaysia Airlines told relatives of those on board the jet that crashed in the Indian Ocean that they would be brought to the "recovery area", as the search goes on for wreckage. WANG ZHAO AFP/Getty Images

A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force AP-3C Orion arrives back at RAAF Base Peace at Bullsbrook, some 35 kms north of Perth after continuing the search for debris or wreckage of the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in the Indian Ocean on March 27, 2014. Six countries have joined the search for the missing plane believed to have crashed in the southern Indian Ocean. ROB GRIFFITH AFP/Getty Images

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 26: Flying Officer Peter Moore speaks to the media after disembarking from a Royal Australian Airforce AP-3C Orion on March 26, 2014 in Bullsbrook, 35km north of Perth, Australia. The search for flight MH370 resumes today after rought winds and high swells prevented crews from searching for debris yesterday. Six countries have joined the search, now considered to be a recovery effort, after authorities have announced that airliner crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean and that there are no survivors. Will Russell Getty Images

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 26: Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orions sit on the tarmc after arriving back at RAAF Base Pearce after continuing the search for debris or wreckage of the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 on March 26, 2014 in Perth, Australia. The search for flight MH370 resumes today after rough winds and high swells prevented air and sea crews from searching for debris yesterday. Six countries have joined the search, now considered to be a recovery effort, after authorities announced that the airliner crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean with no expected survivors. Pool Getty Images

RAAF Flight Lieutenant Russell Adams looks out from the cockpit of a AP-3C Orion during a search mission for missing Malaysia Airline flight MH370 in the Southern Indian Ocean on March 26, 2014. The race to find wreckage from flight MH370 took on new urgency on March 27, 2014, ahead of forecast bad weather after satellite images of more than 100 floating objects sparked fresh hopes of a breakthrough. AFP AFP/Getty Images

RAAF Navigation / Communications Officer Brittany Sharpe operates from her station onboard a AP-3C Orion during a search mission in the Southern Indian Ocean on March 26, 2014 in Perth, Australia. The search for flight MH370 resumes today after rough winds and high swells prevented crews from searching for debris yesterday. Six countries have joined the search, now considered to be a recovery effort, after authorities have announced that the airliner crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean and that there are no survivors. AFP AFP/Getty Images

RAAF Tactical Coordinator Imray Cooray operates from his station onboard a AP-3C Orion during a search mission in the Southern Indian Ocean on March 26, 2014 in Perth, Australia. The search for flight MH370 resumes today after rough winds and high swells prevented crews from searching for debris yesterday. Six countries have joined the search, now considered to be a recovery effort, after authorities have announced that the airliner crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean and that there are no survivors. AFP AFP/Getty Images

RAAF Airbourne Electronics Analyst Bodine Luscott keeps watch for debris onboard a AP-3C Orion during a search mission in the Southern Indian Ocean on March 26, 2014 in Perth, Australia. The search for flight MH370 resumes today after rough winds and high swells prevented crews from searching for debris yesterday. Six countries have joined the search, now considered to be a recovery effort, after authorities have announced that the airliner crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean and that there are no survivors. AFP AFP/Getty Images

RAAF Flight Engineer Ron Day keeps watch for debris from a AP-3C Orion during a search mission for missing Malaysia Airline flight MH370 in the Southern Indian Ocean on March 26, 2014. The race to find wreckage from flight MH370 took on new urgency on March 27, 2014, ahead of forecast bad weather after satellite images of more than 100 floating objects sparked fresh hopes of a breakthrough. AFP AFP/Getty Images

INDIAN OCEAN - This handout Satellite image made available by the AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) shows a map of the planned search area for missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 on March 27, 2014. New images overnight have been released by a French satellite which have found 122 objects in the Southern Indian Ocean which may be debris from the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. Six countries have joined the search, now considered to be a recovery effort, after authorities have announced that airliner crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean and that there are no survivors. Handout Getty Images

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 27: Canadian pilot Captain Mike MacSween addresses the media after returning from a search mission for MH370 debris at RAAF Base Pearce on March 27, 2014 in Perth, Australia. New images overnight have been released by a French satellite which have found 122 objects in the southern Indian Ocean which may be debris from the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. Six countries have joined the search, now considered to be a recovery effort, after authorities announced that the airliner crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean and there are no survivors. Paul Kane Getty Images

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 27: An RAAF flight crew walk across the apron from an AP-3C Orion after returning from a search mission for MH370 debris at RAAF Base Pearce on March 27, 2014 in Perth, Australia. New images overnight have been released by a French satellite which have found 122 objects in the southern Indian Ocean which may be debris from the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. Six countries have joined the search, now considered to be a recovery effort, after authorities announced that the airliner crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean and there are no survivors. Paul Kane Getty Images

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 27: International media report from the apron after a RAAF AP-3C Orion returned from a search mission for MH370 debris at RAAF Base Pearce on March 27, 2014 in Perth, Australia. New images overnight have been released by a French satellite which have found 122 objects in the southern Indian Ocean which may be debris from the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. Six countries have joined the search, now considered to be a recovery effort, after authorities announced that the airliner crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean and there are no survivors. Paul Kane Getty Images

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 27: International media report from RAAF Base Pearce on March 27, 2014 in Perth, Australia. New images overnight have been released by a French satellite which have found 122 objects in the southern Indian Ocean which may be debris from the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. Six countries have joined the search, now considered to be a recovery effort, after authorities announced that the airliner crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean and there are no survivors. Paul Kane Getty Images

The first RAAF Orion aircraft arrives back at Pearce Airbase in Bullsbrook, 35 kms north of Perth on March 27, 2014. The search for wreckage from Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was called off on March 27 for the second time this week as the weather worsened in the Indian Ocean with planes and ships ordered out of the area. AFP AFP/Getty Images

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 27: Television camermen film an RAAF AP-3C Orion as while taxiing to the apron after returning from a search mission for MH370 debris at RAAF Base Pearce on March 27, 2014 in Perth, Australia. New images overnight have been released by a French satellite which have found 122 objects in the southern Indian Ocean which may be debris from the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. Six countries have joined the search, now considered to be a recovery effort, after authorities announced that the airliner crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean and there are no survivors. Paul Kane Getty Images

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 27: An RAAF AP-3C Orion is seen parked on the apron at RAAF Base Pearce on March 27, 2014 in Perth, Australia. New images overnight have been released by a French satellite which have found 122 objects in the southern Indian Ocean which may be debris from the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. Six countries have joined the search, now considered to be a recovery effort, after authorities announced that the airliner crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean and there are no survivors. Paul Kane Getty Images

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 27: An RAAF AP-3C Orion is seen parked on the apron at RAAF Base Pearce on March 27, 2014 in Perth, Australia. New images overnight have been released by a French satellite which have found 122 objects in the southern Indian Ocean which may be debris from the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. Six countries have joined the search, now considered to be a recovery effort, after authorities announced that the airliner crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean and there are no survivors. Paul Kane Getty Images

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 27: An RAAF AP-3C Orion is seen parked on the apron at RAAF Base Pearce on March 27, 2014 in Perth, Australia. New images overnight have been released by a French satellite which have found 122 objects in the southern Indian Ocean which may be debris from the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. Six countries have joined the search, now considered to be a recovery effort, after authorities announced that the airliner crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean and there are no survivors. Paul Kane Getty Images

The crew of a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion aircraft loads up with supplies before taking off from Pearce Airbase in Bullsbrook, 35 kms north of Perth, to search for the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 over the southern Indian Ocean on March 27, 2014. Thunderstorms and gale-force winds grounded the international air search for wreckage from Flight MH370, frustrating the effort yet again as Thailand reported a satellite sighting of hundreds of floating objects. AFP AFP/Getty Images

IN FLIGHT - MARCH 27: Flight Lieutenant Jayson Nichols shields his face from the sun as he looks out of the cockpit of a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion aircraft searching for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 over the southern Indian Ocean on March 27, 2014 off the coast of Perth, Australia. New images overnight have been released by a French satellite which have found 122 objects in the southern Indian Ocean which may be debris from the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. Six countries have joined the search, now considered to be a recovery effort, after authorities announced that the airliner crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean and there are no survivors. Pool Getty Images

IN FLIGHT - MARCH 27: Flying Officer Stuart Doubleday (L) and Warrant Officer Michael Makin sit in the cockpit of a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion aircraft searching for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 over the southern Indian Ocean on March 27, 2014 off the coast of Perth, Australia. New images overnight have been released by a French satellite which have found 122 objects in the southern Indian Ocean which may be debris from the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. Six countries have joined the search, now considered to be a recovery effort, after authorities announced that the airliner crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean and there are no survivors. Pool Getty Images

IN FLIGHT - MARCH 27: Sergeant Matthew Falanga, an airborne electronics analyst, observes a radar image aboard a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion aircraft searching for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 over the southern Indian Ocean on March 27, 2014 off the coast of Perth, Australia. New images overnight have been released by a French satellite which have found 122 objects in the southern Indian Ocean which may be debris from the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. Six countries have joined the search, now considered to be a recovery effort, after authorities announced that the airliner crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean and there are no survivors. Pool Getty Images

IN FLIGHT - MARCH 27: Captain Peter Moore is silhouetted against the southern Indian Ocean aboard a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion aircraft searching for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, on March 27, 2014 off the coast of Perth, Australia. New images overnight have been released by a French satellite which have found 122 objects in the southern Indian Ocean which may be debris from the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. Six countries have joined the search, now considered to be a recovery effort, after authorities announced that the airliner crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean and there are no survivors. Pool Getty Images

IN FLIGHT - MARCH 27: Flight Lieutenant Jayson Nichols looks at a map as he flies aboard a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion aircraft searching for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 over the southern Indian Ocean on March 27, 2014 off the coast of Perth, Australia. New images overnight have been released by a French satellite which have found 122 objects in the southern Indian Ocean which may be debris from the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. Six countries have joined the search, now considered to be a recovery effort, after authorities announced that the airliner crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean and there are no survivors. Pool Getty Images

IN FLIGHT - MARCH 27: A navigation screen used by pilots aboard a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion aircraft shows their current location represented by a white circle during their mission to search for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 over the southern Indian Ocean on March 27, 2014 off the coast of Perth, Australia. New images overnight have been released by a French satellite which have found 122 objects in the southern Indian Ocean which may be debris from the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. Six countries have joined the search, now considered to be a recovery effort, after authorities announced that the airliner crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean and there are no survivors. Pool Getty Images

IN FLIGHT - MARCH 27: Crew members aboard a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion aircraft observe navigation maps as they search for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 over the southern Indian Ocean on March 27, 2014 off the coast of Perth, Australia. New images overnight have been released by a French satellite which have found 122 objects in the southern Indian Ocean which may be debris from the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. Six countries have joined the search, now considered to be a recovery effort, after authorities announced that the airliner crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean and there are no survivors. Pool Getty Images

IN FLIGHT - MARCH 27: Excess fuel is dumped from a nozzle protruding from the left wing of a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion aircraft before landing, after their mission searching for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 over the southern Indian Ocean was aborted, on March 27, 2014 off the coast of Perth, Australia. New images overnight have been released by a French satellite which have found 122 objects in the southern Indian Ocean which may be debris from the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. Six countries have joined the search, now considered to be a recovery effort, after authorities announced that the airliner crashed in the Southern Indian Ocean and there are no survivors. Pool Getty Images

A general view shows relatives of passengers on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 attending a meeting with delegates from Malaysia at the Metro Park Lido Hotel in Beijing on March 27,2014. Malaysia Airlines told relatives of those on board a jet that crashed in the Indian Ocean that they would be brought to the "recovery area", as the search goes on for wreckage. WANG ZHAO AFP/Getty Images

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A woman takes a photo of a screen showing candlelights for relatives of passengers on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 before a meeting at the Metro Park Lido Hotel in Beijing on March 27, 2014. Malaysia Airlines told relatives of those on board the jet that crashed in the Indian Ocean that they would be brought to the "recovery area", as the search goes on for wreckage.(Photo: WANG ZHAO AFP/Getty Images)

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — The Australian Maritime Safety Authority says that a Royal New Zealand Air Force plane has spotted objects in the new search area for Flight MH370 that are closer to the Australian mainland but cautions that the sightings need to be confirmed by ship, expected to take place Saturday.

Earlier, Australian officials shifted their search for the missing Malaysian jetliner by nearly 700 miles, citing "a new credible lead'' about the path of the aircraft and where debris may be located.

Martin Dolan, chief commissioner of the Australian Air Transport Safety Bureau, said a revised analysis of radar data prompted the agency to refocus the search in the Indian Ocean off Perth. The analysis indicates that the plane was flying faster than previously estimated between the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca before radar contact was lost, Dolan said.

Based on that new speed data, analysts calculated increased fuel usage and a reduced distance the aircraft could have covered with power.

The new search area is approximately 198,000 square miles in size and 1,150 miles west of Perth, John Young, manager of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority's emergency response division said. The move, about 685 miles to the northeast of the previous search area, was based on updated advice from an international investigation team working with the search, Young said.

The new location is also based on an assessment by Australian experts, the United States Coast Guard and commercial companies that took into account the weather and the drift any wreckage would be expected to have taken in the 21 days since the plane went missing.

Malaysia's Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said in Kuala Lumpur in his daily briefing Friday that the new search area is consistent with the objects that have been previously sighted by satellites. He said also said that while the search has moved closer to land the conditions are still difficult. However, the search area to the north is not expected to face the same rough weather that forced several delays in the hunt for debris further to the south.

All of these calculations are best estimates and, "will remain a somewhat inexact science," Dolan cautioned.

Young said the team had "moved on" from the previous search area and that the hunt for the missing plane was no longer active there.

Ten aircraft from six countries are being deployed to the new search area, Young said. Four of them are already in the vicinity and six more were expected to arrive later on Friday.

On Thursday, a Thai satellite detected about 300 objects floating in the Indian Ocean a day after a French satellite showed that 122 objects were floating near the search area for the missing Malaysia Airlines jetliner.

The son of missing Malaysia Airlines pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah says he's ignoring speculation about his father's role in the loss of Flight 370 and awaiting confirmation that it crashed.